Enough of COVID...what are you doing to the house?

[mimico_polak]

Smart rebate? Anyone about this? I've been getting a few calls about them doing a home audit, but it seems like a scam.

In my experience if someone calls you to sell you something (rebates, credits, etc.) it's typically a scam. Typically.

Speaking of scams, just got a call from the City of Mississauga regarding my question about enlarging any windows....vertically or horizontally.

Need the following for every application:
- structural drawing (may or may not require an engineering stamp)
- site plan
- elevation plan

If I didn't have that stupid neighbour next door I'd have 3 larger windows already.

 

[GreyGhost]

In my experience if someone calls you to sell you something (rebates, credits, etc.) it's typically a scam. Typically.

Speaking of scams, just got a call from the City of Mississauga regarding my question about enlarging any windows....vertically or horizontally.

Need the following for every application:
- structural drawing (may or may not require an engineering stamp)
- site plan
- elevation plan

If I didn't have that stupid neighbour next door I'd have 3 larger windows already.

Sadly probably another stupid annoying policy written in blood. Some dumb wanker made their window larger, dropped the header and collapsed part of the wall.

 

[mimico_polak]

Sadly probably another stupid annoying policy written in blood. Some dumb wanker made their window larger, dropped the header and collapsed part of the wall.

Very likely. Just like many regulations / rules / labels are made from blood.

But to require a site plan and elevation drawings for a window is a little much.

Maybe it's time to learn SketchUp / drafting.

 

[GreyGhost]

Very likely. Just like many regulations / rules / labels are made from blood.

But to require a site plan and elevation drawings for a window is a little much.

Maybe it's time to learn SketchUp / drafting.

Could be fire issues (if you want to add a bay near a property line). Elevation maybe to make sure it's ot ridiculous (eg glass wall looking at neighbours) or to see if you have brick that needs to be supported. I wouldnt be surprised if they accepted a marked up photo for elevation. That conveys existing and changes clearly and is probably more useful than a drawing most homeowners would put together.

 

[mimico_polak]

I need a drone for a photo of the whole house from above lol.

 

[Hack]

Is there some energy rebate thing for these still going on?

Supposedly, but.... the red tape and BS required isn't worth the hassle to me.
I'd rather negotiate direct with my contractor for a price and leave the gov't out of it.

 

[backmarkerducati]

There are the obvious structural issues with expanding windows.

They also have fire rules/regs about the amount of glass facing a neighbouring property (distance may also be a factor), in many cases expanding one window means removing another to stay within spec, I know a few people that have hit that, had to brick in one window to add or expand another along the same side.

 

[mimico_polak]

There are the obvious structural issues with expanding windows.

They also have fire rules/regs about the amount of glass facing a neighbouring property (distance may also be a factor), in many cases expanding one window means removing another to stay within spec, I know a few people that have hit that, had to brick in one window to add or expand another along the same side.

Thanks. My initial reason for the call was that I read some municipalities don't require permits if you're only going DOWN to enlarge the window, as the support above it doesn't change in theory. But a permit is required for any type of horizontal enlargement. So if I need a permit for any type of enlargement, now I can expand the windows horizontally, and vertically and just get it done in a single shot.

Our son's room is very dark and I'd like to enlarge his window, however I can't tell what's behind the plaster so that'll need to be confirmed.

Thinking about it now, any of the walls I'm doing a window on I'll rip off the old plaster/drywall and install new with proper insulation when doing the windows.

It's like those nesting dolls...one thing leads to another...and another...and another...etc etc.

 

[backmarkerducati]

Thanks. My initial reason for the call was that I read some municipalities don't require permits if you're only going DOWN to enlarge the window, as the support above it doesn't change in theory. But a permit is required for any type of horizontal enlargement. So if I need a permit for any type of enlargement, now I can expand the windows horizontally, and vertically and just get it done in a single shot.

Our son's room is very dark and I'd like to enlarge his window, however I can't tell what's behind the plaster so that'll need to be confirmed.

Thinking about it now, any of the walls I'm doing a window on I'll rip off the old plaster/drywall and install new with proper insulation when doing the windows.

It's like those nesting dolls...one thing leads to another...and another...and another...etc etc.

Just keep in mind that on the sides expanding one may mean removing or shrinking another.

Our old neighbours built an addition which required them to close (block and stucco) the kitchen window beside our house. New neighbours were doing more major work, I mentioned the closed in window (they did not know), they added it back but had to block up the two basement windows on the same side to do so.

 

[Baggsy]

Got some work to do, once I capture one of my children for a half hour:

 

[GreyGhost]

Got some work to do, once I capture one of my children for a half hour:

Leak or you are reconfiguring plumbing?

 

[GreyGhost]

Greener homes can give you up to 5k. Better things to spend that program money on though (heat pump is way out front for return).

I applied july 18 and got approved today to start the process. They needed to check that I owned my home and hadnt received the grant before for this address. That took four months. Off to a good start.

 

[Baggsy]

Leak or you are reconfiguring plumbing?

Plumber had to move a pipe to put one of the new toilets in.
We'd bought three toilets. Only the small one for the ensuite fit.
This is the new Korean toilet:

The powder room pipe was a little too close to the wall:

This one fit fine:

Also did taps. One of the sinks got broken, so I'll have to figure out how to put it back together.

 

[GreyGhost]

Plumber had to move a pipe to put one of the new toilets in.
We'd bought three toilets. Only the small one for the ensuite fit.
This is the new Korean toilet:

The powder room pipe was a little too close to the wall:

This one fit fine:

Also did taps. One of the sinks got broken, so I'll have to figure out how to put it back together.

I dont think you are putting that back together satisfactorily. Ceramic with a chunk out will always look like there was a chunk out. Its extra annoying that the piece is adjacent to the drain.

One of the sinks in our ensuite is cracked but doesnt leak. I am keeping my eye open for a pair of sinks that fit, it's been a few years and nothing yet.

 

[nobbie48]

Very likely. Just like many regulations / rules / labels are made from blood.

But to require a site plan and elevation drawings for a window is a little much.

Maybe it's time to learn SketchUp / drafting.

Hamilton: My daughter was having her brick porch columns replaced. If the contractor supplied the drawings they needed to be stamped by an engineer. If she did them they didn't need a stamp. They also wanted a fresh survey, as if the house had moved.

I took architectural design in college and a lot of my classmates became plans examiners. Now it seems nothing gets touched without an engineer's stamp.

 

[jc100]

Plumber had to move a pipe to put one of the new toilets in.
We'd bought three toilets. Only the small one for the ensuite fit.
This is the new Korean toilet:

The powder room pipe was a little too close to the wall:

This one fit fine:

Also did taps. One of the sinks got broken, so I'll have to figure out how to put it back together.

Does that top toilet make coffee and massage your ass too? Looks swish!

 

[mimico_polak]

Need the collective GTAM brain power here….

Got over a decade of leaves and needles at the cottage from yard cleanups throughout the years…how the eff do I get rid of it?

Can’t burn it as the neighbours will complain about the thick and white smoke into their houses…


Chipper? Shredder? Bags? Or burn it at night?

 

[jc100]

Need the collective GTAM brain power here….

Got over a decade of leaves and needles at the cottage from yard cleanups throughout the years…how the eff do I get rid of it?

Can’t burn it as the neighbours will complain about the thick and white smoke into their houses…
View attachment 52248

Chipper? Shredder? Bags? Or burn it at night?

“lightening” has been known to set things on fire occasionally.

 

[GreyGhost]

Need the collective GTAM brain power here….

Got over a decade of leaves and needles at the cottage from yard cleanups throughout the years…how the eff do I get rid of it?

Can’t burn it as the neighbours will complain about the thick and white smoke into their houses…
View attachment 52248

Chipper? Shredder? Bags? Or burn it at night?

Use the trailer and take it to depot. Yard waste was free for homeowners in york region. I've never tried it up here.

Burning that would take forever and/or a large fire). Bagging it would take a long time and a lot of bags. Chipper/shredder wont do that much if it is mostly old leaves and needles.

 

[Baggsy]

Does that top toilet make coffee and massage your ass too? Looks swish!

No.
It lifts the lid, turns on a nightlight, washes your butt, dries it, deodorizes the smell, flushes itself, and closes the lid.
There's also an enema mode, that I haven't dared to try yet.